Bishop Barron Blasts St. Paul's 2030 Fabric Deal as Cathedral Defends Concert Series
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 8
Bishop Barron Blasts St. Paul's 2030 Fabric Deal as Cathedral Defends Concert Series
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 8
Summary
A multiyear St. Paul’s Cathedral partnership with Fabric drew fresh criticism from Bishop Robert Barron, who said hosting nightclub-style events in the church collapses the line between sacred and secular space.
The deal makes Fabric the cathedral’s exclusive partner for such events until 2030, with the first concert scheduled for Oct. 29; Barron derided defenders’ claims that the program would help reach younger people.
St. Paul’s has said the concerts will be carefully curated rather than "raves," and visitor-engagement director Sandra Lynes Timbrell said the series is meant to attract people who otherwise would not enter the cathedral.
Fabric’s role has sharpened the backlash because the nightclub lost its license about 10 years ago after two drug-related deaths, even though the cathedral has worked with the company before.
The dispute echoes Canterbury Cathedral’s 2024 "rave in the nave" row and lands amid wider debate over whether younger worshippers want churches to modernize or to offer a sharper break from secular culture.